The sixth edition of the De Proef Brewmaster’s Collaboration Series is our first blended beer. Legendary brewer, Alan Sprints of Hair of the Dog joins Dirk Naudts at De Proef to create this unique bottle conditioned beer. Flanders Fred is a blend of Flanders-sourced lambic with a collaboratively-brewed version of the famous Hair of the Dog Fred.

The result is a deep golden ale topped with a creamy off white head. The nose is complex with notes of lemon, pine, tropical fruits and spice. The palate is rich and layered with toffee, apricot and almond, balanced by some green apple, a hoppy bitterness and barnyard funk.

Please enjoy Flanders Fred with food and friends. This beer should pair very well with many cheeses, roasted vegetables and grilled meats. We believe this bottle will continue to evolve beautifully over the next few years, adding a subtle blending of the flavors.

Cloudy orange-amber with little head to speak of. Interesting aroma...tart funkiness coating toffee-like malts, fruit, cherries, and earthy must. I coax up some acetic notes with a deep sniff. Flavor is tart, again with a solid malt presence for balance. Caramel, cherries, spicy wood, berries, vanilla, slightly phenolic on the back end. Body leans towards the fuller side of medium, and finishes dry and tart. This started out seeming like it was going to be more of a slow-sipper, but became dangerously drinkable and refreshing.

The color is a hazy sunset of an amber brown; with a medium depth, the appearance is pleasant. The head is fluffy - over an inch tall. The foam drops to a thin layer and a patch of bubbles. Sporadic blotches of lace turn to a solid wall of tightly grouped bubbles.

Fermented apple aromas jump out of the glass though it doesn't smell boozy. Vinous overtones. After a few minutes plush, fluffy grains emerge. It's all woven together with hints of grassiness. Over time the focus shifts toward the grain aromas and mild sweet tones.

The aroma belies the tartness of the beer (at least on the first several sips). It seems like something of a lactic twinge. Ripe, light fruits. As with the nose, the malt backdrop is robust yet unobtrusive - toasted grains and lightly buttered bread. It almost seems like pilsner malt. Hints of damp funkiness on the finish.

Medium body with a moderate, fluffy carbonation. The sourness gives the semi-slick body a puckering feel.

I like this just fine. It's probably a good idea to start cold and observe how it changes as the temperature rises. For my personal preferences, I like it better as it warms up. An interesting and balanced beer.

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, best before 4/10/2014. Pours fairly hazy reddish orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of green apple, cherry, cranberry, pear, grape, herbal, clove, pepper, oak, candi sugar, light vinegar, funk, and yeast earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity/spicy yeast esters with funk and moderate malts; and good strength. Taste of big tart cherry, cranberry, green apple, pear, grape, herbal, clove, caramel, candi sugar, oak, funk, vinegar, toast, and yeast earthiness. Fair amount of earthy/fruity tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark and light fruits, herbal, clove, pepper, candi sugar, oak, funk, vinegar, toast, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a while. Fantastic complexity and balance of malt and fruity/spicy yeast flavors with moderate funk; and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a smooth, slick, and moderately acidic mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent blended Flanders Red style! All around awesome balance and complexity of tart fruity/spicy esters with malt; and very smooth to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.